Make Warne the Australian captain: Jones

Dean Jones says some heads are going to roll after Australia's Ashes debacle and the selectors should offer captaincy to the retired Shane Warne, who he believes would return "in a heartbeat."

The Australians surrendered the Ashes series 1-2 to England, following a massive 197-run defeat in the fifth Test which also resulted in their dropping to number four in rankings.

Jones said Michael Clarke, skipper Ricky Ponting's deputy, should be groomed under Warne before handing him the reins of the team.

"Someone has to be accountable for this and there will be some casualties, there's no doubt about it. If the selectors or Cricket Australia want to go to someone else for the captaincy, if they're thinking of that, maybe give it to Michael Clarke straight away now... is he old enough?

"Is he mature enough now? Will they give it to, say, maybe Marcus North who they have a lot of respect for? Or even Simon Katich?

"Or one more...? Ask Shane Warne to come out of retirement just for two years, then give it to Michael Clarke," Jones, former Australian cricketer, told BBC Radio Five Live.

Jones said it will not take much time for Warne to get Test fitness and hoped Warne would oblige.

"A lot of people might be thinking 'that's stupid' but it will take him two months, three months to get himself fit, just let him play the Test matches and, I tell you what, he would do it in a heartbeat.

Jones said Warne has never led Australia and he would not think twice in shunning the retirement and take up the job, if Cricket Australia makes an offer.

"I'm surrounded by England captains here, very jealous of what's going on here and I tell you what, having the name 'captain of Australia' next to Shane Warne... it's one thing he's never done. I tell you, he would do it in a heartbeat."

However, Cricket Australia and the national selection panel has stood by their beleaguered skipper Ponting, saying that his sacking would be "unfair".

Ponting became only the second Australian captain in Ashes history to lose twice on England soil.